Latest reviews for Arts & Culture in Westminster, London, United Kingdom

Tate Britain - One (often forgotten) Great Tate by Litro_K

Litro_K — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:03:58 +0000

Review by Litro_K

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7887 8000

Website: http://www.tate.org.uk

I am surprised that 11 people have sung the praises of Tate Modern, but its poor relation, Tate Britain, seems to have been ignored so far. I wonder why this is - the building is arguably much more beautiful, dating from 1897, on a site previously occupied by a prison. What's not to like? The riverside at Millbank is calmer, the pace more relaxed for visitors, giving stellar views towards Westminster.

As for the art, some of my favourites are housed in the permanent collection here: John William Waterhouse's 'The Lady of Shalott', John Singer Sargent's 'Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth', 'The Bath of Psyche' by Lord Leighton and some noted works by Stubbs, Gainsborough, and Hogarth. Just as impressive as the feted exhibitions in the Turbine Hall, and the surroundings are a great deal more peaceful!

The gallery comes alive on the first of every month with special 'Late at Tate' evenings, designed to correspond with the main exhibition going on at the time. There are usually free talks, live music, djs, half-price admission to the paid exhibitions and lots of fabulously artsy, liberated (drunken) people to watch.

It might not be as famous as Tate Modern, but itâ¬"s definitely not the fusty older sibling, either. Definitely worth a look - many, in fact. And if you still prefer the other one, you can always hop back on the river boat linking the two.

Five massive stars for a great British art institution!I am surprised that 11 people have sung the praises of Tate Modern, but its poor relation, Tate Britain, seems to have been ignored so far. I wonder why this is - the building is arguably much more beautiful, dating from 1897, on a site previously occupied by a prison. What's not to like? The riverside at Millbank is calmer, the pace more relaxed for visitors, giving stellar views towards Westminster.

As for the art, some of my favourites are housed in the permanent collection here: John William Waterhouse's 'The Lady of Shalott', John Singer Sargent's 'Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth', 'The Bath of Psyche' by Lord Leighton and some noted works by Stubbs, Gainsborough, and Hogarth. Just as impressive as the feted exhibitions in the Turbine Hall, and the surroundings are a great deal more peaceful!

The gallery comes alive on the first of every month with special 'Late at Tate' evenings, designed to correspond with the main exhibition going on at the time. There are usually free talks, live music, djs, half-price admission to the paid exhibitions and lots of fabulously artsy, liberated (drunken) people to watch.

It might not be as famous as Tate Modern, but itâ¬"s definitely not the fusty older sibling, either. Definitely worth a look - many, in fact. And if you still prefer the other one, you can always hop back on the river boat linking the two.

Five massive stars for a great British art institution!

The London Transport Museum - Great day out by Fimb

Fimb — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 22:00:37 +0000

Review by Fimb

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7379 6344

Website: http://www.ltmuseum.co.uk

Tags: cafe, chips, shop

The new face lift at the London Transport Museum has certainly given the place a whole new light - literally. No longer dark and claustrophobic but open and light and easy to find your away around.

Visiting on a Sunday during half term, there were alot of kids there, but it never felt overly packed, or even too noisy. Spread over aground floor and two mezzanine style floors, the noise gets lost in the height, and lots of specialist kiddy areas seemed to keep small children occupied and out of the way.

The cafe, whilst possibly a bit small, was well priced, and the chips, as I seem to be obsessed by, were amazing! They were chips as I remember them from my childhood, made with real potatoes and obviously twice fried. Heaven!The new face lift at the London Transport Museum has certainly given the place a whole new light - literally. No longer dark and claustrophobic but open and light and easy to find your away around.

Visiting on a Sunday during half term, there were alot of kids there, but it never felt overly packed, or even too noisy. Spread over aground floor and two mezzanine style floors, the noise gets lost in the height, and lots of specialist kiddy areas seemed to keep small children occupied and out of the way.

The cafe, whilst possibly a bit small, was well priced, and the chips, as I seem to be obsessed by, were amazing! They were chips as I remember them from my childhood, made with real potatoes and obviously twice fried. Heaven!

The Cabinet War Rooms - An Experience For Life by Wheely

Wheely — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 14:50:45 +0000

Review by Wheely

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7930 6961

Website: http://www.iwm.org.uk

Tags: museum, toptable

Once visited, The Cabinet War Rooms are one of those places that you will never forget. Over the years I've taken many friends and family there on countless occasions and each time, I (we) experience something new. On my last visit, we had time to read the terrible casualty lists suffered by Londoners of all age groups during nightly bombing raids. These lists were written up daily by the London Fire Brigade and Police. Today they serve as a sharp reminder to all of us in one way or another as to what we think democracy and freedom is and the awful sacrifices made by past generations to ensure it was maintained ! Tourists, disabled access, audio equipment and personal assistance available.Once visited, The Cabinet War Rooms are one of those places that you will never forget. Over the years I've taken many friends and family there on countless occasions and each time, I (we) experience something new. On my last visit, we had time to read the terrible casualty lists suffered by Londoners of all age groups during nightly bombing raids. These lists were written up daily by the London Fire Brigade and Police. Today they serve as a sharp reminder to all of us in one way or another as to what we think democracy and freedom is and the awful sacrifices made by past generations to ensure it was maintained ! Tourists, disabled access, audio equipment and personal assistance available.

National Portrait Gallery - An amazing gallery in the heart of london by shelo9

shelo9 — Tue, 08 May 2007 21:30:26 +0000

Review by shelo9

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7306 0055

Website: http://www.npg.org.uk

Tags: modern art, photographic exhibition, paintings

It's simple in its content, the gallery is full of portraits - from the royal family, celebrities and ordinary people from around the world.

My favourite room is the tudor room as its my part of history and its so calm. There are no muppet tourists and kiddies running around, pushing and shoving. Total bliss hiding there (and you cant talk on your mobiles!)

The exhibitions over the years have been great as well. I loved the Mario Testino one - you could see clearly why he is such a highly regarded photographer around the world. There is another fashion exhibition starting soon at the NPG with Mario photos again. It will have Kate moss in there (london seems to be obliged to show her photo everywhere), but i'm sure there will be other amazing photos to look at.

I haven't tried the cafe and restaurant but i hhave been to a party upstairs which was very ccool as you get to see over trafalgar sqaure athe south bank which is beautiful at night. IIf you have a chance to go up there, dp it just to see the view!It's simple in its content, the gallery is full of portraits - from the royal family, celebrities and ordinary people from around the world.

My favourite room is the tudor room as its my part of history and its so calm. There are no muppet tourists and kiddies running around, pushing and shoving. Total bliss hiding there (and you cant talk on your mobiles!)

The exhibitions over the years have been great as well. I loved the Mario Testino one - you could see clearly why he is such a highly regarded photographer around the world. There is another fashion exhibition starting soon at the NPG with Mario photos again. It will have Kate moss in there (london seems to be obliged to show her photo everywhere), but i'm sure there will be other amazing photos to look at.

I haven't tried the cafe and restaurant but i hhave been to a party upstairs which was very ccool as you get to see over trafalgar sqaure athe south bank which is beautiful at night. IIf you have a chance to go up there, dp it just to see the view!

Sister Ray - London's best record shop... in my opinion by MartinKemp

MartinKemp — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 18:01:22 +0000

Review by MartinKemp

Rating: 4.00

Tags: music, vinyl, records

I'm not fantastically well educated in the London Music scene. I don't think i have the temprament. I like music, but I don't buy as much as I want and I always forget the names of bands and albums that I want when I enter a record shop... which is why Sister Ray is brilliant... Their staff seem to spend all their spare time reading every single music magazine known to man. You could probably ask them anything about contemporary music and they'd have an answer. That's pretty cool. and they don't seem to mind being questioned either, which is fantastic.

situated in Soho, it's quite large with an extensive back catalogue and a nice load of new releases. It specialises in mainly alternative stuff - ranging from indie, metal and post-rock through folk and contemporary composistion. So if that's your scene and you hadn't been there already, it's well worth a look.I'm not fantastically well educated in the London Music scene. I don't think i have the temprament. I like music, but I don't buy as much as I want and I always forget the names of bands and albums that I want when I enter a record shop... which is why Sister Ray is brilliant... Their staff seem to spend all their spare time reading every single music magazine known to man. You could probably ask them anything about contemporary music and they'd have an answer. That's pretty cool. and they don't seem to mind being questioned either, which is fantastic.

situated in Soho, it's quite large with an extensive back catalogue and a nice load of new releases. It specialises in mainly alternative stuff - ranging from indie, metal and post-rock through folk and contemporary composistion. So if that's your scene and you hadn't been there already, it's well worth a look.